The First Meeting: What to Prepare When Consulting with Woodbridge Homes

Taking the first step toward building your custom home is exciting. At Woodbridge Homes, we’ve been building quality custom homes throughout Hagerstown, MD and surrounding Maryland counties for over 61 years. As a second-generation, family-owned business, we understand that the initial consultation is a crucial foundation for your entire building journey.

Being well-prepared for your first meeting with our team will help us understand your vision and ensure we can provide you with the most valuable guidance. This article will walk you through everything you need to know to make your first consultation with us productive and successful.

Why the First Meeting Matters

The initial consultation with our team is more than just a formality—it’s the beginning of a partnership that will create your dream home. During this meeting, we’ll:

• Get to know you and your family’s specific needs
• Understand your vision, style preferences, and must-have features
• Discuss potential building sites or evaluate your existing lot
• Explore budget considerations and financing options
• Outline our 6-step building process
• Answer any questions you have about building in Washington County

Coming prepared helps us make the most of this time together and lays the groundwork for a smooth building experience. As noted by one of our satisfied clients, “Woodbridge Homes is a reputable builder who stands by their product.” Our goal from the first meeting onward is to demonstrate the commitment to quality and customer service that has earned us recognition as “Best Builder” for six consecutive years from Hagerstown Magazine.

Essential Items to Bring

To make your first meeting as productive as possible, consider bringing these items with you:

Documentation and Information

Document Type	Details to Include	Why It’s Important
Lot/Land Information	Survey, deed, existing conditions	Helps assess building feasibility
Budget Documentation	Pre-approval letter, financing details	Ensures realistic planning
Timeline Expectations	Move-in target date, life events	Helps with project scheduling
Contact Information	All decision-makers’ details	Streamlines future communication
HOA Regulations	If applicable to your property	Ensures compliance from the start

Design Inspiration

Bringing visual examples of homes, rooms, and features you love helps us understand your aesthetic preferences. Some of these examples to consider would be:

• Inspiration Photos: Pictures from magazines, websites, or social media that reflect your style
• Floor Plan Ideas: Sketches or examples of layouts you prefer
• Feature List: Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves for your custom home
• Material Samples: Any specific finishes or materials you’re drawn to

Questions to Consider Before the Meeting

Taking time to discuss and note down answers to these questions will help you clarify your needs and make our conversation more productive. These type of questions can range from lifestyle questions, design preferences, and budget considerations questions.

Lifestyle Questions

• How long do you plan to live in this home?
• Who will be living in the home (family members, pets)?
• Do you entertain frequently? If so, what type of gatherings?
• Do you work from home or need dedicated office space?
• What are your storage needs?
• Are there any special needs or accessibility considerations?
• What outdoor activities are important to accommodate?

Design Preference Questions

• What architectural styles are you drawn to?
• How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
• Do you prefer an open floor plan or more defined spaces?
• Which rooms are most important to you and your family?
• What features from your current home do you love or dislike?
• Are there special features you’d like to include (fireplace, built-ins, etc.)?
• What are your preferences for indoor-outdoor connections?

Budget Considerations

• What is your total budget for the project?
• Have you accounted for site work, landscaping, and interior finishes?
• Do you have items where you’re willing to splurge vs. save?
• Have you spoken with lenders about construction financing?
• Are you aware of the property tax implications in your chosen location?

Coming with thoughtful answers to these questions demonstrates that you’re serious about building and helps us tailor our guidance specifically to your needs.

Understanding Our Process

At Woodbridge Homes, we follow a 6-step process that guides clients from initial concept to completed home. During our first meeting, we’ll walk you through each phase:

Woodbridge Homes’ 6-Step Building Process

Step	Phase	What Happens
1	Pick a Lot/Land	Site evaluation, zoning verification, utility assessment
2	Select Floor Plan	Design consultation, customization options, material selection
3	Secure Financing	Lender coordination, budget refinement, payment scheduling
4	Pre-development	Permits, surveys, site preparation, timeline establishment
5	Construction	Regular updates, quality inspections, milestone walkthroughs
6	Settlement	Final walkthrough, documentation, warranty review, key handover

Understanding this process helps set realistic expectations and gives you confidence in the structured approach we take to creating your custom home. As noted on our website, we use “the best materials and name brands available with construction quality and techniques that are second to none in the industry while paying strict attention to detail.”

Location Considerations in Washington County

Washington County offers diverse communities with unique characteristics. If you haven’t selected a lot yet, it’s helpful to consider which area might best suit your lifestyle:

Popular Washington County Building Locations

• Boonsboro: Historic charm with excellent schools and mountain views
• Smithsburg: Apple country with rolling hills and family-friendly neighborhoods
• Clear Spring: Rural tranquility with larger lots and agricultural character
• Williamsport: Waterfront opportunities along the Potomac and C&O Canal
• Keedysville/Sharpsburg: Historic significance near Antietam Battlefield
• Hancock: Western gateway with affordable land and outdoor recreation
• Funkstown: Historic charm near Hagerstown’s conveniences

During our meeting, we can discuss the characteristics of different Washington County communities and help you evaluate which might be the best fit for your custom home.

Budget Transparency

Being transparent about your budget is crucial for a productive first meeting. At Woodbridge Homes, we believe in honest conversations about costs from day one. This allows us to recommend appropriate designs and materials that align with your financial parameters.

Understanding Custom Home Costs in Washington County

Custom home building costs in Washington County typically range depending on:

• Size of the home
• Complexity of the design
• Level of finishes
• Site conditions
• Special features

During our first meeting, come prepared to discuss your realistic budget range, including contingency funds for unexpected costs. This transparency helps us guide you toward solutions that provide the features you want while respecting your financial boundaries.

One of our clients noted, “Woodbridge Homes was accommodating with pricing, changes, add-ons and move in times. Everything we asked was easily granted with little effort on our part.” Our goal is to make the financial aspects of building as straightforward as possible.

What to Expect During the Meeting

Your first meeting with our team typically lasts 1-2 hours. Here’s what you can expect:

• Introduction and Getting to Know You: We’ll begin by learning about you, your family, and your lifestyle.
• Discussion of Your Vision: We’ll review your inspiration materials and discuss your design preferences and must-have features.
• Site/Lot Evaluation: If you have a lot, we’ll discuss its characteristics. If not, we’ll talk about finding the right property in Washington County.
• Budget Discussion: We’ll have an open conversation about costs and financing options.
• Process Overview: We’ll explain our 6-step building process and estimated timeline.
• Questions and Answers: We’ll address any questions or concerns you may have.
• Next Steps: We’ll outline what happens after the initial consultation.

The meeting atmosphere is relaxed and conversational. Our goal is to listen carefully to your needs and begin forming a plan to turn your vision into reality.

After the Meeting: Next Steps

After our initial consultation, the custom home journey begins to take shape. Here’s what typically follows:

• Site Visit: If you have a lot, we’ll schedule a visit to evaluate it in person.
• Preliminary Design: Based on our discussion, we’ll create initial concepts for your review.
• Budget Refinement: We’ll provide more detailed cost estimates based on your design preferences.
• Contract Development: We’ll prepare a building agreement outlining specifications, costs, and timeline.
• Design Finalization: We’ll work with you to refine floor plans and selections.

The time between the initial meeting and breaking ground varies depending on design complexity, permitting requirements, and your decision-making timeline. However, being well-prepared for that first meeting helps streamline every step that follows.

Common Questions for the First Meeting

During your first consultation, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Here are some common ones that help clients get the most from the initial meeting:

• What is your approach to quality control during construction?
• How do you handle changes during the building process?
• What type of warranty do you provide?
• How often will we receive updates during construction?
• What makes Woodbridge Homes different from other builders in Washington County?
• How do you handle selections and finishes?
• What challenges might we face building in our chosen location?
• How accurate is the initial estimate compared to final costs?
• What energy-efficient features do you typically include?
• Can we visit current construction sites or completed homes?

At Woodbridge Homes, we believe informed clients make better decisions. We welcome these questions and any others you may have during our first meeting.

Conclusion

Building a custom home is one of life’s most significant investments—both financially and emotionally. The first meeting with your builder sets the tone for the entire journey ahead. By arriving prepared with inspiration, documentation, thoughtful questions, and clear priorities, you create a solid foundation for a successful building experience. At Woodbridge Homes, we’ve guided hundreds of Hagerstown, MD families through this process over our 61-year history. We understand that an informed client makes better decisions, and a well-prepared first meeting leads to smoother construction, fewer surprises, and ultimately, a home that truly reflects your vision and lifestyle.